cu change

[martinsayer81]

quick question

if i was changing an old fuse board to a new c/u, and i was installing 3 new circuits,
would i have to fully test all the old wiring before connecting it all up?

and what if the old wiring keeps tripping the new rcd?

how would you guys go about it??

 

[ab1978]

Hi there
first of all i would do a an insulation test/earth fault tests on the circuits before i would commit to changing the board and even pricing the job,

 

[martinsayer81]

Hi there
first of all i would do a an insulation test/earth fault tests on the circuits before i would commit to changing the board and even pricing the job,

so you're saying that when i turn up to look at a job for the first time, i should open up the fuse board and start testing it??

 

[Octopus]

When changing a CU you must always test all the existing circuits!!

Why would you think otherwise?

 

[needasparks]

Yes you would have to test all the circuits as you are making changes to them.
There are loads of posts on here telling you how best to do pre-check testing or you can always fit an additional board for your circuits then if the client does not want to pay for any corrections to failed circuits.

 

[Strima]

I've learnt the hard way about not testing before hand. You need to test before hand to identify any problems that will arise when installing any form of RCD board on an old installation. Any faults identified need to be presented to the customer and they then decide if the want to proceed as any rectification works will cost more money.

If you just jump in and change the board and things start to trip you'll get the old 'it was fine before you touched it' comment, playground rules apply.

 

[martinsayer81]

would you price the job of a c/u change for 2 days?
day 1, test all circuits, give a PIR cert. ( if all goes well,all tests satisfactory)then...
day 2, change board over, give EIC cert.?

 

[needasparks]

so you're saying that when i turn up to look at a job for the first time, i should open up the fuse board and start testing it??

You have to concider the fact your quoting a days work with the full testing so 10 mins to highlight now major problems is minor and mainly for your benefit as your the one having the agro finding the faults later and at who's cost if you never quoted it.
This is one of the things that separate a qualified person from a cowboy.

 

[Amp David]

And now I know why theres an ad in the local rag advertising 200 quid cu swaps.

 

[oldtimer]

When I survey a CU change I do global IR test and Ze/PFC/PSSC BUT I do not pass this on to the customer for good economical reasons ie I am not here to help £200 CU man get a job

 

[Current Affairs]

I always quote this as 2 days work, just not enough time in the day to do a full CU change & full EICR that needs to be completed as you are affecting all the circuits. Even though the wiring may be in poor condition before the cu change. As i see it by changing the CU and effecting all circuits, thus being responsible to at least report the condition of all circuits

 

[martinsayer81]

cheers for the responses guys,

 

[martinsayer81]

but i wouldnt be responsible for livening up an existing circuit that has a 230V fan in zone 1 of a bathroom, would i?

in that situation would i advise the customer of the dangers and make a note on the certificate

 

[Geoffsd]

When I survey a CU change I do global IR test and Ze/PFC/PSSC BUT I do not pass this on to the customer for good economical reasons ie I am not here to help £200 CU man get a job

Not quite with you on this.
If you do tests and find all's well, what do you tell the customer?



Generally,though, I've always been a bit mystified about the recommendations to do a full EICR first.
If you find several or lots of faults and tell customer it'll cost so much if they want new CU how do you get them to pay at least £150 for the EICR if they decide not to pay for repairs and new CU after all?

 

[needasparks]

but i wouldnt be responsible for livening up an existing circuit that has a 230V fan in zone 1 of a bathroom, would i?

in that situation would i advise the customer of the dangers and make a note on the certificate

Got to be honest here, when you go to look at a CU change what else are you looking at other than the circuits you will be re-connecting ? afterall the old board is going. That is the whole point of the exercise to enhance the system and find out what needs correcting, afterall you will be the last sparks who touched the place if there is a fire or worse. Did you think they may knock on someone else's door if you made live a circuit that killed someone later. Bit harsh i know but you must see the bigger picture.